Israelis a 'Tumor' That Must Be Wiped Out: Ahmadinejad

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad speaks at the conclusion of an annual pro-Palestinian rally, marking Quds (Jerusalem) Day, on the last Friday of Ramadan, at Tehran University, Aug. 17, 2012. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

(Newser)
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If you've ever wondered why Israel gets twitchy at the prospect of a nuclear-armed Iran, get a load of what Mahmoud Ahmadinejad told a group of anti-Israel protesters today. "The Zionist regime and the Zionists are a cancerous tumor," the Iranian president said, according to the AFP. "Even if one cell of them is left in one inch of (Palestinian) land" they will reappear.

"The nations of the region will soon finish off the usurper Zionists," he continued. "In the new Middle East there will be no trace of the Americans and Zionists." The comments came as part of Iran's annual Quds Day protest—Quds meaning the city of Jerusalem. State-run TV broadcast the comments, and showed crowds marching with Palestinian flags and banners reading "Death to Israel" and "Death to America." The demonstration has been held every year since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. (Read more Iran stories.)

From Israel National News: "Samaria (Shomron) is ready to do its part in case of war, Samaria Regional Council head Gershon Mesika announced this weekend. He told senior Home Front officers that his region is prepared to absorb tens of thousands of civilians in case of war. The plan to use Samaria as a refuge was developed some time ago. Three years ago, Mesika told then-Deputy Defense Minister Matan Vilnai that the region could take in up to 530,000 evacuees. His idea became a Home Front plan of action, and has now been practiced in multiple drills. "

crypticvalentin

Aug 18, 2012 1:23 AM CDT

if this is a translation from Farsi by MEMRI, it's a mis-translation..MEMRI works for Israel, and makes subtle changes in translations to demonize 'enemies' of Israel..